Kandos to Rylstone rail link to return

Trains will soon be returning to the Mudgee region thanks to a $1.1 million investment from the State Government to reinstate the Kandos to Rylstone rail link.

The money will be used to bring back the eight kilometres of non-operational rail between Kandos and Rylstone and kick start the Kandos-Rylstone Rail Heritage Precinct.

The local community has been calling for the return of the old rail line for years, with over 1200 signing a petition to bring it back. The train line is often heralded as one of the most beautiful pieces of rail line in NSW and it will be a great asset to the community to have it operational again.

Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said in the Mudgee Guardian that the project is expected to increase visitor numbers to the region and add to the diversity of local and regional activities.

“Funding for rail infrastructure is essential to the prosperity of regional NSW,” he said.

“Eight kilometres of track will be resurfaced, lifted and aligned into the right position to ensure passengers enjoy a smooth ride,” Mr Toole said.

“New signalling work, including the recommissioning of a level crossing, is also required to allow trains to travel safely through to Rylstone.”

Work is set to begin on the Kandos to Rylstone rail next month and is expected to be ready to take passengers by June 2018.

The news coincides with the recent announcement that the Kandos Museum has taken up occupancy of the Kandos Railway Station.

President of Kandos Museum Buzz Sanderson said the station is an important part of the fabric of Kandos and it’s important it doesn’t fall into neglect.

“We want to use the station as a station and together with our partners, Lithgow State Mine Railways, we will be looking to ramp up train based tourism to the Kandos-Rylstone district in 2018. We very excited for 2018,” Mr Sanderson said.